We missed Holidays in the Heights this year so we took a little trip out to Pleasant Valley when their Santa came for a visit. There weren't nearly as many fun things to do but they did have Glinda and Elphaba on hand! They even sang!
Emmy's Elf House
30 March 2026
This little elf house makes me laugh just thinking about it. I don't exactly know how it started. Emily got a box one day and started cutting up things and taping things and next thing we know, Brian was having to help her construct this thing and he was her very best friend for helping!
Recipe: Pesto Salmon
29 March 2026
There are not many things I love more than a fresh pesto! It's so delish. I made this quick and easy pesto salmon, orzo cooked in chicken broth and roasted asparagus and it was delightful! I cooked the salmon in the air fryer with PESTO on top, added some fresh pesto on top after it cooked with a sprinkle of parm. XOXO.
Hello Holiday Season! Elf at the Robinson
28 March 2026
We're officially entering holiday season!! Thought we would never get here. I have so many holiday posts. We're going to start with Elf at the Robinson. This year we bought season passes for the family to attend all the shows at the Robinson. I'm so glad we did. It's been so fun!! We started with one that Brian and I went to and took some friends-- I don't even remember what it was called. I didn't care for it and fell asleep. Then Mrs. Doubtfire, which the girls LOVED! And now Elf.
Christmas Gifts: Homemade Vanilla
27 March 2026
I was gifted one of these little vanilla's a few years ago and I've said ever since that I was going to make them. And finally this year, I did! I love that it's the gift that keeps giving. Once you run out, refill with vodka and keep going. I'm still using the original one gifted to me.
Trip to Chili's
26 March 2026
There is absolutely no reason for this post except that our kids love chili and when they found out there is a place to eat called Chili's they have wanted to go for a very long time. We've told them over and over again that they don't actually serve chili but they were still dead set on going. So we finally did one weekend. We got to NWA early and were going to see my grandma so we stopped in Fayetteville and grabbed lunch at Chili's. They loved it! And it actually wasn't terrible. Who doesn't love that triple combo app they have?! And the cheese dip?! It's an institution. :) Also, peep the glasses. Pet vet still in full force.
Halloween Week 2025
25 March 2026
I did a really terrible job of documenting Halloween this year. I took a few pictures during the week so I guess that will have to work. The girls always have spirit week at school so we don't have to come up with one costume but FIVE! Fun :)
Emmy's Broken Arm
24 March 2026
My little baby broke her arm! She's been on this "upset stomach" kick at school so when I saw the nurse call at 9ish, I thought.. you've got to be kidding me, already?! Luckily I answered and I heard the panic in Nurse Pam's voice. She's so precious. She apologized for calling then said I think you need to head this way, sweet Emmy fell off the monkey bars and she might need x-rays.
Kate Turned EIGHT!
23 March 2026
My baby turned EIGHT!! She's all things sweet and precious and we love her to pieces! I actually had to be out of town for work on her birthday so Brian brought the girls up to Rogers the day before her birthday so we could spend some time together. It also was nice to have him tag along with me some and the girls got plenty of time with family!
Fall Family Photos 2025
22 March 2026
Having flashbacks to when Emily refused to take photos like three years ago. I was so mad at the time but now I look back at this sweet picture of her sucking her thumb and holding baby billy.. it's probably one of my favorite photos of all time. This time she was just plain difficult. I hope I look back on these with fond memories.. someday.
Fall Soccer 2025: Coach Daddy
21 March 2026
Fall soccer was so fun!!! We were UNDEFEATED!!! After son long of losing, we killed it! These girls had fun, Brian was a fantastic coach, and we loved spending so much time with so many friends!
Labor Day 2025
20 March 2026
Labor Day is always so fun! It's the end of the summer and time that I completely shift to September events-- birthday, anniversary and all things fall! We start making pumpkin bread and lighting leaves candles. I love it! I especially love that last September lake trip. It's a little cooler (most times) and sunset cruises and so perfect.
Back to School 2025
19 March 2026
And here we are. Is the summer fun already over? I feel like we reallky maximized the summer. Between all the daddy daycare fun, VBSs, trips to the lake, New York City, weddings, weekend trips, etc.. we did so much! But I think everyone was looking foward to a schedule and a little routine. Ok, maybe not the girls.
Lake with the Lar Family
18 March 2026
Continuing the summer fun-- a weekend at the lake with the Lar Family! I really loved our two weekends last summer with these guys. We always have such a fun time and the kids do too. Love playing marbles with them and then over NYE, we taught them Mahjong. Friends who play together, stay together.
Haley's Wedding @ Mount Magazine
17 March 2026
Another wedding!! These girls are living their best summer lives. This time we got to travel to Mount Magazine and stay at the lodge. It was so fun! And we enjoyed being there for Haley's big day.
Let Freedom RING!! July 4th
16 March 2026
I made a reel from the 4th and it's to "Holiday" by Madonna and now every time I look at these pictures, I only sing it in my head. Love my little lake girls! Alex and I actually had the same lake hat so the girls took hers and mine and matched :) cuties.
Susan + Bailey's Wedding
15 March 2026
Who loves weddings?! These kids right here! They had the absolute best time this past summer during our neighbors wedding. Mr. Scott and Mrs. Shelly were so sweet to include us in their daughter Susan's wedding. The girls danced so much and kept the little photo booth in service! We have so many fun print-out memories from this party!
Trip to Nashville + the Opry!
14 March 2026
Last June I had to go to Nashville for work and Brian tagged along to do some things on his own. He wanted to try some good food and check out some bookstores. He was also able to join me for a few work things. See above-- the Opry! I don't know if he was looking forward to it or not but I think he actually ended up enjoying it!
Skin Cancer, Round 2
13 March 2026
Know what sucks? Skin cancer. What sucks even worse? When it's on a spot as visible as your nose and you have to have it cut open not one... but twice!! And this is coming from someone who (I thought) has been pretty sun safe. And this is my second time. Lessons learned? Skin cancer spots don't always look like what they tell you they look like!
Last Day in Our Favorite City! NYC Day Five.
12 March 2026
Welcome to the last day in the city we love so much! We started today much like yesterday, we hit Central Park first thing! Trying to make the most of the last day we have here!
AG Dolls are Lyfe. NYC Day Four!
11 March 2026
Welcome to the day that Emmy has been waiting on for like ever... the day we finally went to the American Girl store. And I can't believe how massive and insane it really was. I didn't think we were going to make it out of there. And that Emily would ever even decide on what to get. It was fun and stressful at the same time! Core memory!!
Lady Liberty. NYC Day Three.
10 March 2026
Up early again! This family doesn't sleep in. Not even on vacation guys. Up early, in bed early is how we roll. But this morning we were up for a really good reason. Breakfast at one of Brian and my favorite spots. A new staple we have to hit every single time. So trip number three to Balthazar.
No One Mourns the Wicked! NYC Day Two.
09 March 2026
We were up early on day two and ready to explore! I actually have a video on Emmy jumping on me in bed talking about going to Central Park. Brian actually ventured out early to grab us coffee and breakfast in bed. This is one of my fav things he does when we travel. He brings me lattes and breakfast while I sleep in. Not as easy with kiddos but I can still lay in bed. Ahhh :)
Johnston Girls Take New York! Day One.
08 March 2026
I can't believe I haven't written this post yet. Brian keeps telling me I have to prioritize it before I forget everything but I don't know that I could ever forget this lovely little trip! We were actually kind of terrified to take with the kids. I figured it would either be the best trip ever or the very worst. And it was quite honestly, so much fun and I can't wait for the next one. These girls had a blast and Brian and I got to hit everything we wanted to do as well.
Fried artichokes
07 March 2026
This family LOVES fried artichokes. The Faded Rose has the best ones in town and that dip.. delish! When we made this CHICKEN FRANCESE, we drooled over the artichokes. SO now we just make the fried artichokes part and they are really, really wonderful. Need to figure out my own dippy now!
My Craft Room
06 March 2026
Want to know what song plays in my head when I see this room OR pictures of this room? Isn't she looovely! Isn't she wonderful? She is. She is all things happiness and I love spending time in this fun room. I HAVE to go back to the very beginning on this one too. Cause it's really gotten very beautiful over the years. And I think taking the time to make it happier really makes me want to spend more time being creative in here.
Mexican Green Bean Salad
05 March 2026
I don't think it's a secret that we love Mexican food around here. We also love Rick Bayless recipes! This one was a homerun and a fun side that was also kind of unexpected. It was super easy and extra delish! Enjoy!
Art cart
04 March 2026
I'm about two years behind on this one. I did a terrible job of documenting this adorable little Easter gift for the girls.. from two years ago. I had almost more fun putting it together than they have playing with all the things it contains. And the best part is, you can put whatever on it. And when you restock, you can add new and different things! The girls are constantly moving everything around!
Stairs
03 March 2026
Are you ready for a fun one?! Cause this project was fun and actually pretty quick and the upgrade is out of this world! I've been wanting to do this since we moved in. The movers really beat up our stairs and they are just kind of steep and slick. I could never decide what I wanted. Had decided to hire it out because I was a little overwhelmed and then one day I saw this runner and thought, this is it. Brian gave me a huge confident boost and two seconds later I'm borrowing an air compressor and staple gun and BAM... she's done!
Emily’s 6th Birthday Party!
02 March 2026
Emmy had the best birthday party to celebrate turning SIX! We actually had it the weekend before her birthday and she had a blast. I never saw her. She was too busy running around with all her buddies and having the very best time.
Emmy’s birthday + last day of school
01 March 2026
My sweetie turned SIX! Last year... but still have to document! Her birthday fell on the last day of school, which no one actually stays at school on the last day so I think she had the very best day. I took off, went to both girls promotion ceremonies and then we spent the day together. And I'm going to blog this one in reverse because for some reason I can't get my pictures to load in order :)
Memorial Day Weekend in Branson 2025
28 February 2026
We had a really fun Memorial Day weekend last year with the Lar family in Branson. They rented this amazing house near Silver Dollar City-- we ate fun meals and did an entire day at the park. The resort we stayed at had this amazing pool also with slides and a lazy river. The girls were in absolute heaven!
Camping on the Sylamore
27 February 2026
We went camping last summer and Brian told me the girls and I could stay at the house at Calico. Then it was let's all sleep in a tent one night and the house the next. Then somehow we spent two nights in a tent and I just don't know how or why the girls loved it so much but now I fear I have to do this every single year!!!!
Pearl Couscous Salad With Shrimp and Feta
26 February 2026
This is like summer in bowl. And I hate that Brian doesn't love cucumbers the way I do. I actually used a lot less cucumber on this recipe for that reason. I also didn't have radishes so I skipped those. Think it would be delish with more cucumbers and radish! Save this one for when you want something easy and crave a summer dish!
Easter 2025
25 February 2026
I always love Easter! And this year we stopped by my sisters house on the way home to snap a few pictures in her yard-- she has so many beautiful flowers and they were all showing out!
Spicy Turkey Stir-Fry With Crisp Garlic and Ginger
24 February 2026
OH man do I love this meal. I love this meal so much we at least have it once a month. The crispy ginger and garlic really set it over the top. And it's made me love cooking with coconut oil again, I think you can really taste it here. Try this one!!!
Girl Party: Easter Edition
23 February 2026
This makes me want spring back so bad. This picture is so sweet and I just love this precious little party that Rachel put together. I think this is the second annual little Easter party she's thrown for the girls. I looove the flower theme from this one.
Bunco: Allyson’s Favorite Things
22 February 2026
This bunco theme was so fun! Allyson started this bunco group a few years ago and then decided to move on all of us! So we chose to throw a surprise bunco party for her before they moved to Hot Springs last summer. I made these cute little invites and sent them to the group + her family without her knowing. I'm actually terrible at keeping these things secret so I'm still shocked I didn't make any missteps.
Spring Break 2025
21 February 2026
Spring Break 2025 was so much fun! The girls were out all week and I took off some of it to hang out with them and then for us to take a quick little trip. This first picture was sometime during the week when we tried out Problem Child in LR. It was delish!
Spring Soccer 2025
20 February 2026
Spring soccer season was so much fun this year! Both of the girls improved so much and Kate got super good at scoring goals! Both girls did so well and it's always so much fun to watch them play.
Chicken Piccata + Orecchiette
19 February 2026
I looove chicken piccata. And I've tried all sorts of recipes that essentially do the same thing. This one was wonderful, as always! I loved the addition of the shallots. I also was out of angel hair pasta so I served it over orecchiette and everyone loved that sub!
Chicken and Artichoke Francese
18 February 2026
OK, I really hope you listen when I say that you have to make this. It was incredible! And we've made the fried artichokes alone from this recipe a handful of times since. It's so delish! We paired it roasted radishes and the whole thing was *chef's kiss* amazing!
February 25 - NWA Trip
17 February 2026
Here are the girls in one of their favorite places-- they LOVE Hugo's! And so do we :) We made a trip up last Feburary for Susan, David, and Bridget's birthday celebrations. We did our usual-- hit the Fayetteville square for lunch, dropped Brian at Dickson Street Books, the girls and I go grab coffee and a sweet treat, then we head on up to Rogers!
Bike to school day 🚲
16 February 2026
The kids always love bike to school day so much! Or walk/scooter. IDK what it is and when. I do not love this day. Brian usually takes the kids and parks at Kroger then walks over. Since we live a little bit from the school. VERY lucky this past spring, the Cherry's let the kids tag along! Love these sweet pics!
Bathroom
15 February 2026
I think the best way to appreciate this bathroom is to look back and see what it looked like way back when. Before I took matters into my own hands. Because I hated this bathroom but it's part of the 10-15 year plan. Or if you ask Brian, I don't even think it's on his list. So I had to make it happier. And I did it all myself, knowing we'll redo it at some point.
Peanuts
14 February 2026
I am SO BEHIND in the blog world. I came here yesterday looking for a recipe and saw that Valentine's was on my homepage which means I'm about a year behind. I sat down today and counted how many blogs I'm behind and it's around 65! All while life that I want to capture is still happening. So I'm here.. with fantastic peanuts. Just in time for peanut month.. in March.
